University to Honor Gary Garner at Faculty Grand Recital

CANYON, Texas—A former faculty member who was instrumental in the development of the music program at West Texas A&M University will be honored at the annual Faculty Grand Recital at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 8 in Mary Moody Northern Recital Hall on campus.

Dr. Gary Garner, professor emeritus of music, will be honored when performing members of the WTAMU School of Music faculty fill Mary Moody Northen Recital Hall with the sounds of brass, wind, string, piano and voice for an evening of musical entertainment. Performances will range from quartets and solos to Mozart’s “Quartet in D major” and Rimski-Korsakov’s “Flight of the Bumble Bee.” Faculty members and former students will provide an added highlight to the concert program with shared anecdotes about Garner between performances. A reception honoring Garner will immediately follow the concert in the atrium of Mary Moody Northen Hall.

“Dr. Garner is one of our most respected and loved emeritus faculty members,” Dr. Keith Redpath, Harrington lecturer and instructor of violin, said. “His work and dedication were nothing short of monumental in the development of the Department of Music at WTAMU and is reflected in a long list of alumni who are some of the finest instrumental music teachers, both in the state and nationally. Since his retirement, Dr. Garner has shown continued interest and strong support of our programs. Now that we are a School of Music, it seems natural to recognize one of our most important leaders who helped to pave the way for where we are today.”

Garner retired in 2002, leaving behind a legacy of memories after 39 years as WTAMU’s director of bands and orchestras. During his tenure at WTAMU, Garner managed to put the University’s music program on the map. He took the University’s Symphonic Band to Carnegie Hall two times and to perform at the Texas Music Educators Association annual convention a total of 10 times—more than any university band program in the state of Texas.

In addition to his teaching and directing, Garner co-authored two books, recorded and arranged music and earned many honors from his peers and colleagues. In 1983 he was named a Piper Professor for excellence in education and in 1987 earned recognition as Texas Bandmaster of the Year. He currently directs the Town and Gown Band, a group comprised of current and former faculty and students as well as many community members.

The annual event is free and open to the public. For more information, call 806-651-2840.

—WTAMU—

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Jane Sparks Anderson on
2.8.2013

Kudos, Dr. Garner. Thank you for being such an inspiration to so many through your mentoring and love of music. God Bless you always.
Lloyd and Joyce Alsup's niece...Jane

Champ and Nancy Turner on
2.8.2013

What a Grand thing to do!
We are awed by his talent and abilities. He is respected by everyone. He will never be forgotten for what he has achieved in the music world and for WT. He is a dear man.
We are honored to be his friends.